James McFadden amazed by ‘sensational’ Celtic star’s improvement alongside Nicolas Kuhn

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Celtic are proving to be near-on faultless under Brendan Rodgers this season.

Yes, Rodgers won the double upon his return last season, but you have to say that a lot of the performances were scratchy and off-colour.

But now that the Celtic players, who thrived under Ange Postecoglou, have had 12 months to adapt to new methods, as well as Rodgers working his own magic, then it is resulting in some fantastic performances and results.

From Celtic putting six goals past Aberdeen in the Scottish League Cup semi-final to the most recent European performance against RB Leipzig.

One of the reasons behind this is the improvement of many individual players, with star of the show Nicolas Kuhn understandably stealing the headlines.

But James McFadden wanted to give another player his flowers.

James McFadden wowed by ‘sensational’ Alistair Johnston at Celtic

Another Postecoglou success story, Alistair Johnston has been a breath of fresh air at Parkhead and one of the club’s most consistent performers.

McFadden highlighted how impressive Johnston is, not just on the pitch, but also off the field of play and how that was a reason why he donned the captain’s armband this term.

The former Scotland star labelled the Canada international as ‘sensational’ and how his improvement in the colours of green and white have been ‘incredible’, as he told Sky Sports Football (23/11/24 at 7:15 pm).

“When he first come in, watching him at the World Cup, you could see that he had that energy,” said McFadden. “He was a real battler. He enjoyed the defending side of the game. He could get up and he could get up and support.

“Listening to him speak and saying how he is having to ‘adjust under Ange’ and then adjusting again under Brendan. It’s a player that wants to improve. Wants to get better. Wants to help the team and when you have that attitude. He is always smiling, even when he is playing you can tell how much he is enjoying it. 

“The improvement (he has made) since he has come into Celtic has been incredible this season. The goals that he has scored. Even when he scores, he doesn’t take credit for it and says they are all lucky. It tells you him as a character, but the fact that he is now popping up with goals. And the fact that he is captaining the side as well. I know Callum McGregor is the captain and then Carter-Vickers if he is available and then it’s him. But it shows you how much he is thought of in the dressing room, by the manager and the players that he can lead the team out as well. He has been sensational for Celtic. I think it’s a just reward getting a new contract and a lot more improvement as well.”

Johnston’s stats for Celtic this season

Anthony Ralston impressed on Scotland duty recently, but he has to watch from the bench on the domestic level because Johnston just doesn’t drop his performances.

You could argue that he is one of the first names on the teamsheet now and is also building a strong partnership with Kuhn on the right.

Kuhn is the man of the moment with his 22 goal involvements, but the man behind him is helping him produce these high-level performances, with WhoScored rating his performances this season at 7.53 in the Premiership.